Apparatus and method for administration of IV liquid medication and IV flush solutions

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a medical liquid administration apparatus and administration method that are particularly apt for intravenous (IV) applications. More particularly, the administration apparatus and method may be employed in conjunction with the administration of liquid medication and one or more flush solutions from multi-dose sources, wherein fluid interconnections between at least one flush solution source and the administration apparatus may be established a single time at the outset of a given procedure. The administration apparatus may include a valve having a control member selectively positionable to provide any selected one of a plurality of closed flow paths through the valve, and a syringe interconnected to the control member for clockwise/counterclockwise co-rotation therewith (e.g. to establish the selected flow path). The valve may include a valve housing have a plurality of ports, wherein in one arrangement at least two of the ports have corresponding center axes lying in offset first and second planes. Correspondingly, the control member may include an internal passageway extending between a plurality of apertures, wherein at least two of the apertures have center axes lying in said offset first and second planes. By selectively rotating the control member, different fluid paths may be established between different ones of the valve housing ports, thereby facilitating closed-path passage of a liquid medication and one or more flush solutions therethrough. In particular, the flush solution(s) and liquid medication may be passed sequentially into the interconnected syringe for subsequent manual administration by medical personnel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of and claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/225,886, filed on Aug. 22, 2002, andentitled “ADMINISTRATION OF IV LIQUID MEDICATION AND IV FLUSH SOLUTIONS,APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR”, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of medical liquidadministration, and more particularly, to an administration apparatusand method for administering multiple medical liquids during one orrepeated periods. The administration apparatus and method areparticularly apt for use in successive intravascular (IV)administrations of liquid medication and one or multiple flush solutionsover an extended time period, wherein the liquid medication and flushsolution(s) may be alternately infused through a closed system requiringonly a single vascular catheter fluid interconnection per sequence.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous techniques are employed for the administration of “medicalliquids” (e.g. liquid medication and flush solutions) to a patient. Inparticular, where repeated medication infusions are required, medicalliquids are often administered via the use of a vascular access catheterthat is fluidly interconnected or interconnectable to one or moremedical liquid sources via an associated tubing line set. Typically, thecatheter is inserted into the vein of a patient and left there formultiple intravenous (IV) infusions during an extended course ofmedication therapy. By way of example, the time period between IV druginfusions may be between about 4 to 24 hours, wherein the IV liquidmedication source is typically replaced after each dose infusion. In thecourse of extended medication therapy a given tubing line set may berepeatedly employed, and a number of tubing line sets may besuccessively employed. For example, it is typical to replace a giventubing line set every two or three days.

During extended therapy applications, a desirable practice is todisconnect the vascular catheter from a medical liquid source and tubingline set between infusions. In this regard, most patients receiving IVmedication therapy are ambulatory to some degree and benefit from notbeing continuously connected.

In conjunction with the repeated connection/disconnection of a vascularcatheter and liquid medication source and tubing line set, it is usualpractice to purge the vascular catheter with a flush solution (e.g. asaline solution) prior to and at the completion of a given liquidmedication infusion. Pre-infusion flushing verifies that the vascularcatheter is primed and clear of obstructions. Post infusion flushing notonly flushes through any remaining liquid medication to achieve thedesired therapeutic effect, but also reduces any chance that thevascular catheter may become blocked in-between infusions, e.g. by ablood clot that may otherwise form in the vascular catheter. In relationto infusion procedures, it is also common practice to verify the properfunctioning of a vascular catheter via aspiration. This is typicallydone prior to pre-infusion flushing and after liquid medicationinfusion. The procedure entails using the flush solution syringe orliquid medication syringe to drain a small amount of a patient's bloodthrough the vascular catheter, thereby permitting visual verification ofproper vascular catheter functionability, then advancing the blood backthrough the vascular catheter using the syringe. By way of example, suchprocedure assures that the vascular catheter is not blocked by a bloodclot and is otherwise properly inserted into a patient's vascularsystem.

A number of approaches are currently utilized for the noted flushingprocedures. Such techniques generally entail the usage of flushsolutions packaged in large volume, multi-dose reservoirs (e.g. about250 ml. or more) or pre-filled unit dose syringes (e.g. having volumesof 2, 3, 5 or 10 ml.).

Where a unit dose syringe is utilized, medical personnel must generallyremove the syringe from packaging, remove a cap from the syringe, removeany air in the syringe, swab a vascular catheter access port with anantibacterial material, interconnect the syringe to a vascular catheteraccess port, optionally aspirate the vascular catheter, advance thesyringe plunger to infuse the flush solution (e.g. at a rate of about 5to 10 ml. over about 15 to 30 seconds), remove the syringe from thevascular catheter access port and discard the used syringe with itswrapper. As may be appreciated, such steps may need to be repeatednumerous times over the course of extended medication therapy, e.g.after each infusion and vascular catheter access port reconnection,thereby entailing significant medical personnel time and resulting insubstantial medical waste. Further, while unit dose syringes providegood sensitivity for aspiration purposes they are not particularlypressure sensitive for flushing purposes.

Where multi-dose flush solution reservoirs are employed, medicalpersonnel typically utilize an empty unit dose syringe to draw the flushsolution from the reservoir, then follow the same basic procedure notedabove in an administering the flush solution. Again, such procedure maybe followed a number of times during a medication therapy. Further,contamination concerns may arise when a unit dose syringe is filled froma multi-dose reservoir at the point of use. To address such concern,unit dose syringes are often filled from a multi-dose reservoir within apharmacy department of a medical care facility utilizing a hepa-filterair hood. However, significant syringe handling is required. Moreover,labeling becomes a further need when a delay is expected between thefilling of a unit dose syringe and the usage of the filled syringe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, a primary objective of the present inventionis to reduce the number of steps and associated time required by medicalpersonnel for the infusion of medical liquids in conjunction with IVprocedures. A related objective is to facilitate the utilization ofmulti-dose flush solution sources in conjunction with IV liquidmedication administration procedures occurring over an extended courseof therapy.

An additional objective of the present invention is to provide the notedmedical liquid administration efficiencies in a manner that alsoenhances the maintenance of sterility.

A further objective of the present invention is to facilitate theutilization of different types of flush solutions, including the use oftwo different flush solutions in conjunction with IV procedures for agiven patient.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to reduce medicalwaste associated with the IV administration of flush solutions.

In addressing the noted objectives, the present inventors haverecognized the desirability of providing an apparatus that fluidlyinterconnects fluid lines from multiple medical liquid sources to asingle fluid line that is selectively interconnectable to a vascularcatheter access port. More particularly, the inventors have recognizedthat desirability of providing an apparatus that allows a liquidmedication source and multiple flush solutions to be administered in aclosed system through a single fluid line that entails only a singleinterconnection to a vascular catheter access port.

As such, one or more of the above objectives and additional advantagesmay be realized by an inventive medical liquid administration apparatusthat comprises a valve having a control member selectively positionableto provide any selected one of a plurality of flow paths through thevalve, and a syringe, fluidly interconnected to a syringe port of thevalve, for receiving and dispensing medical liquid through the valve.

In one aspect, the syringe may be fixedly interconnected to the controlmember for clockwise and counterclockwise co-rotation therewith. In thisregard, the control member may be positionable so that in a firstposition a first flow path between a first inlet port of the valve andthe syringe port is provided. The control member may be furtherpositionable in a second position to provide a second flow path betweenthe syringe and an outlet port of the valve. Such selective positioningfacilitates the drawing of a first medical liquid (e.g. a first flushsolution) into the syringe through the first inlet port when the controlmember is in the first position, and the subsequent administration ofsuch medical liquid from the syringe through the outlet port of thevalve when the control member is in the second position, e.g.administration via a vascular catheter access port.

Further, the control member may be provided for selective positioning ina third position wherein a third flow path is defined between a secondinlet port and the needle-less syringe. Such functionality allows forthe use of the syringe to draw a second medical liquid (e.g. a secondflush solution) through the second inlet port when the control member isin the third position, and the subsequent administration of the medicalliquid through the outlet port of the valve when the control member isin the second position.

Of note, the valve may also include a third inlet port, wherein when thecontrol member is in the second position a fourth flow path is definedto allow a third medical liquid (e.g. a liquid medication or drug) to bepassed directly through the third inlet port to the outlet port of thevalve, wherein the third medical liquid is administered to a patient,e.g. via a vascular catheter access port. In such an arrangement thesecond and fourth flow paths are fluidly interconnected and partiallyoverlap.

In another aspect, a valve may be provided which includes a plurality ofvalve ports, including the syringe port and first and second valve inletports having corresponding center axes in offset first and secondplanes, respectively. Further, the control member may be positionable toprovide any selected one of a plurality of flow paths between acorresponding plurality of different sets of the valve ports. Moreparticularly, the control member may be provided with an internalpassageway extending between a plurality of apertures in the controlmember, wherein a first aperture and a second aperture havecorresponding center axes lying in said offset first and second planes,respectively. That is, the center axes of the first valve port and firstaperture may be disposed within a common first plane, and the centeraxes of the second valve port and second aperture may be disposed withina common second plane. Moreover, the first and second planes may besubstantially parallel. Such an arrangement allows multiple flow pathsto be defined in a relatively simple manner. For example, in oneembodiment at least a portion of the control member may be rotatablydisposed in the valve, wherein such portion includes the first andsecond apertures.

In conjunction with this aspect, a first set of valve ports may bedisposed in a first relative relationship and a different second set ofvalve ports may be disposed in a second relative relationship, saidfirst and second relative relationships being different.Correspondingly, a first set of control member apertures may be disposedin said first relative relationship and a second set of control memberapertures may be disposed in a said second relative relationship.Further, the first and second sets of apertures may each include atleast one aperture in common.

As should be noted, the described administration apparatus allows up tothree different medical liquid sources to be concurrently interconnectedto three different inlet ports and separately administered through acommon outlet port in a closed system, wherein the interconnectedsyringe is employable for the receipt and administration of the medicalliquids. In the later regard, the outlet port may be selectivelyinterconnected to a vascular catheter access port (e.g. via aninterconnected tubing line having a male luer connector). By way ofprimary example, the invention allows for the sequential administrationof a liquid medication, or drugs, and two different flush solutions viaa closed system and pursuant to the establishment of a single vascularcatheter interconnection.

Additional features may be provided in combination with the above notedapparatus. For example, the syringe port and an end aperture of thecontrol member may be disposed in opposing, aligned relation on thecenter axis of the valve. Further, the control member may be providedwith a plurality of side apertures that may be selectively aligned withdifferent ones of a plurality of valve side ports. As will beappreciated, the side apertures of the control member may be disposedfor selective blockage by internal sidewalls of the valve in certainpositions.

Additionally, the medical liquid administration apparatus may includeone or more indicators for identifying the optional fluid flow pathsthrough the valve. For example, such indicator(s) may include visualpath identifiers (e.g. corresponding with intended liquid medication andfirst/second solution source interconnections) located in spatialrelation to inlet/outlet ports of the valve. The syringe may also beoriented transverse to a center axis of the valve, wherein the syringemay be selectively positioned in substantial alignment with a given oneof the valve ports to affect a desired fluid flow path through thevalve.

In yet another feature, the syringe of the administration apparatus mayinclude a syringe body, a plunger having a bottom end disposed in a topend of the syringe body, and a sealing member for sealing the top end ofthe syringe body to the plunger. More particularly, the sealing membermay extend from a top end of the syringe body to a top end of theplunger. By way of example, the sealing member may comprise a flexiblemembrane that functions in a bellows-like manner.

Various capabilities accommodated by the inventive administrationapparatus may be implemented in an inventive method for medical liquidadministration. In one aspect, the inventive method includes the stepsof fluidly interconnecting a first flush solution source to a firstinlet port of an administration apparatus, a second flush solutionsource to a second inlet port of the administration apparatus, and aliquid medication source to a third inlet port of the administrationapparatus. The method further includes the step of passing a selectedone of the flush solutions into a syringe of the administrationapparatus. Of course, the inventive method may further include the stepof flowing the selected flush solution from the syringe through anoutlet port of the administration apparatus for administration to apatient, e.g. via a vascular catheter access port to a patient.Additionally, the method may include the step of infusing liquidmedication by passing the liquid medication from the liquid medicationsource into the third inlet port and out of outlet port of theadministration apparatus for administration to a patient, e.g. via avascular catheter access port to a patient. Of note, a common outletport is utilized for both flush solution and liquid medicationadministration.

As may be appreciated, the inventive method may further include thesteps of passing and flowing of a selected flush solution both prior toand after the liquid medication infusing step. In this regard, the firstflush solution may be selected for said passing and flowing steps priorto the infusing step, and the second flush solution may be selected forthe passing and flowing steps after said infusing step. Moreparticularly, the first flush solution may include a saline solution andthe second flush solution may comprise a heparin solution.

In multiple-dose applications, the inventive method may includerepeating the passing, flowing and infusing steps a desired number oftimes, while maintaining at least one of the fluid interconnections atthe first, second and third inlet ports of the medical liquidadministration apparatus. Moreover, the passing, flowing and infusingsteps may be repeated any number of times while maintaining all three ofthe medical liquid source/inlet port interconnections. The maintenanceof such interconnections yields sterility benefits as well as reducedprocedural requirements.

In conjunction with multiple-dose applications, the inventive method mayfurther include the steps of interconnecting the outlet port of theadministration apparatus to a vascular catheter access port to apatient, completing the flowing and infusing steps noted above, anddisconnecting the outlet port of the medical liquid administrationapparatus from the vascular catheter access port to the patient. Inturn, the interconnecting, completing and disconnecting steps may berepeated a number of times. As will be appreciated, such stepsaccommodate the ambulatory needs of a patient receiving medicationtherapy over an extended time period, while also reducing the overallmember of vascular catheter interconnections/disconnections required forliquid medication infusion and pre/post flushing procedures.

In relation to the step of passing a selected flush solution into thesyringe, such step may include a selected one of establishing: (i) afirst closed flow path between the first inlet port and syringe, and(ii) a second closed path between the second inlet port and the syringe.Further, the step of flowing the selected flush solution to a vascularcatheter access port may provide for the establishment of a third flowpath between the syringe and the outlet port. The noted methodology maybe implemented so that only one of the first, second or third flow pathsis establishable at a given time. Further, the noted establishment offirst, second or third flow paths may be selectively established via therotation of a control member within a valve of the administrationapparatus. Further, such rotating step may include the alignment of thesyringe with one of the first, second and third inlet ports to establisha corresponding selected one of the first, second and third flow paths.Visual path identifiers (as noted above) may also be obscured inconjunction with the selection of a desired flow path.

In completing the step of passing a selected flush solution into thesyringe of the administration apparatus, the selected flush solution maybe drawn by the retraction of a plunger relative to a barrel of thesyringe. In turn, the step of flowing the selected flush solution outthe outlet port, e.g. to a vascular catheter access port, may entailadvancement of the plunger relative to the barrel of the syringe.

As may be appreciated, the method may further provide for the retractionof the syringe plunger relative to the syringe barrel after at least oneor both of the steps of flowing the selected flush solution or infusingthe liquid medication. In conjunction with such retraction, the methodmay also include the step of observing fluid drawn from a patienttowards a vascular catheter access port, wherein a proper fluidinterconnection at the vascular catheter may be confirmed.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the furtherdescription provided hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is perspective view of one medical liquid administrationapparatus embodiment comprising the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the administration apparatus embodiment of FIG.1A.

FIG. 1C is a front view of the administration apparatus embodiment ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a side view of the administration apparatus embodiment ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the administration apparatusembodiment of FIG. 1A, with a syringe thereof shown in a first position.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective and top views of the administrationapparatus embodiment of FIG. 1A, as interconnected to a liquidmedication source and a first flush solution source, with two flow pathsbeing defined by the medical liquid administration apparatus.

FIG. 3C is a side cross-sectional view of the administration apparatusembodiment and liquid medication source shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, astaken along line AA of FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective and top views of the administrationapparatus embodiment of FIG. 1A, as interconnected to a liquidmedication source and a first flush solution source, with another flowpath being defined by the administration apparatus.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective and top views of the administrationapparatus embodiment of FIG. 1A, as interconnected to a liquidmedication source and first and second flush solution sources, with yetanother flow path being defined by the administration apparatus.

FIGS. 6A-6H are schematic illustrations showing various selected flowpaths definable by the administration apparatus embodiment of FIG. 1A inaccordance with one method embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-1D and 2 illustrate one medical liquid administration apparatusembodiment comprising various features of the present invention. Theadministration apparatus 1 includes a valve 10 and a syringe 70 fluidlyinterconnected to the valve 10. As best shown by FIG. 2, the valve 10includes a control member 20 rotatably disposed within a valve housing30. The control member 20 may be selectively rotated relative to valvehousing 30 to provide a number of flow paths through the valve 10.

In this regard, valve housing 30 is provided with side ports 32, 34, 36,38, as well as a syringe port 40. Control member 20 includes an internalpassageway 50 that extends between apertures 52, 54 and 56. As will befurther described, apertures 54 and 56 are disposed to provide for theselective passage of medical liquids between side ports 34 and 38, andsyringe port 40. Apertures 52 and 56 are disposed to provide for theselective passage of medical liquids between syringe port 40 and sideport 36. Apertures 52 and 54 are further disposed to provide for thedirect passage of a medical liquid between side port 32 and side port36.

The syringe 70 may be fixedly interconnected through syringe port 40 tothe control member 20, e.g. via an interconnection member 60, forclockwise and counterclockwise co-rotation with the control member 20.In one arrangement, a cylindrical end of control member 20 may belocated and adhered within a complimentary, annular groove of theinterconnection member 60 to achieve interconnection. A fluid opening 62may be defined through the interconnection member 60 to fluidlyinterconnect aperture 56 and a fluid port 72 of the syringe 70.

As noted, various flow paths through valve 10 may be selectivelyestablished. Such capability allows medical liquid administrationapparatus 1 to be utilized for the administration of three (3) differentmedical liquids, e.g. via an interconnectable vascular catheter accessport. Furthermore, integration of syringe 70 in medical liquidadministration apparatus 1 facilities the administration of a medicalliquid from one or a plurality of interconnected sources (e.g.containing different flush solutions) on a successive, repeated basisduring the course of medication therapy for a given patient. Inparticular, medical liquid administration apparatus 1 may be employedfor the successive administration of a catheter flush solution, such asa saline solution and/or heparin solution, before and/or after liquidmedication infusions, wherein at least one of the flush solutions iscontained in an interconnectable reservoir of sufficient volume todispense multiple flush solution dosages.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1D and 2, the spatial relationships betweenvalve ports 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and apertures 52, 54 and 56 of controlmember 20 will be described. In particular, valve side ports 32, 34, 38have corresponding center axes disposed in a common first plane, andvalve side port 36 has a center axis disposed in a second plane offsetfrom and parallel to the first plane. Correspondingly, control member 20is disposed within valve housing 30 so that the center axes of apertures52, 54 are disposed in said offset first plane and second plane,respectively. Further, valve port 40 and aperture 56 are disposed inopposing aligned relation on a center axis of valve housing 30.

In connection with the foregoing, and as best shown in FIG. 1B and FIG.2 it should also be noted that the center axes of the valve side ports32, 34, 36, 38 and the center axes of apertures 52, 54 of control member20 are disposed to facilitate various aligned relationshipstherebetween. In particular, the center axes of coplanar ports 32, 34and 38 are offset at 90° intervals about the center axis of valvehousing 30. On the other hand, apertures 52 and 54 of control member 20are offset 180° about the center axis of valve housing 30.

By virtue of noted relative relationships, control member 20 may berotatably positioned relative to valve housing 30 to selectively providefor the passage of liquid between port 34 and port 40 in a firstposition, between port 38 and port 40 in a second position, and betweenport 40 and port 36 in a third position. Additionally, when in the thirdposition control member 20 also provides for direct passage of liquidbetween port 32 and port 36. Further in this regard, it should be notedthat when the control member 20 is positioned in each of the first andsecond positions, aperture 52 is blocked by an internal sidewall ofvalve housing 30, thereby preventing the passage of liquid therethrough.

In addition to the above-noted features, administration apparatus 1 mayfurther include flow path indication, sterility maintenance and fluidinterconnection features. In particular, administration apparatus 1 mayinclude visual representations disposed in spatial relation to valveside ports 32, 34, 36 and 38 that correspond with the intended fluidinterconnections. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B the letters“S”, “A” and “H” may be disposed in spatial relation to ports 34, 32 and38, respectively, wherein the “S” port 34 is intended for fluidinterconnection with a saline flush solution source, the “A” port 32 isintended for fluid interconnection with a liquid medication source, andthe “H” port 38 is intended for fluid interconnection with a heparinflush solution source. As further shown by FIGS. 1A and 1B, the visualrepresentation “Cath” is provided in spatial relation to valve side port36, wherein the “Cath” port 36 is intended for fluid interconnectionwith a patient, e.g. a vascular catheter access port to a patient. Inmedical liquid administration apparatus 1, the various visualrepresentations noted above are provided on web members 80. Certainly,other embodiments may utilize alternate visual representations disposedin other locations, e.g. directly on port extension members.

In conjunction with the foregoing, it should also be noted that syringe70 is disposed transverse to the center axis of the valve 10 (e.g.substantially parallel to the center axes of the various valve sideports 32, 34, 36, 38), wherein syringe 70 is rotatable about the centeraxis of the valve 10 to obtain the desired flow path through valve 10.That is, by rotating syringe 70 over and into an aligned relation with agiven one of the valve side ports 32, 34 and 38, the fluid flow pathcorresponding with such valve side port may be achieved. In this regard,valve 10 may be provided so as to mechanically restrict the rotatablepositioning of control member 20 to an arc that extends between ports32, 34 and 38 (e.g. at least 180°) but which does not extend by port 36.For example, and as best shown by FIG. 1D, valve housing 30 may includean upstanding stop member 39 that extends into a cut-out region of abottom skirt 62 of interconnection member 60. In turn, rotation of theinterconnection member 60 and control member 20 is limited to the arcdefined by the cut-out region of interconnection member 60. Tofacilitate aligned positioning of control member 20, valve housing 30may also include an upstanding detent member 39 having a rounded top endfor receipt by a complimentary depression (e.g. hemispherical) in thebottom skirt 62 of the interconnection member 60. As will beappreciated, when control member is rotatably positioned into theabove-noted third position (e.g. to define passageways between ports 40and 36 and between ports 32 and 36), the rounded top end of detentmember 39 will slidably pass into the complimentary depression of bottomskirt 62.

To facilitate repeated use of the syringe 70 during a given medicationtherapy, syringe 70 is provided with a sealing member 74 for maintainingsterility. More particularly, the sealing member 74 may extend over thetop end of the plunger 76 and interconnected with the syringe body 78,e.g. via a securing ring 90 interconnected to a top end of the syringebody 78. Sealing member 74 may be a collapsible membrane that functionsin a bellows-like manner to facilitate advancement and retraction ofplunger 76 relative to syringe body 78. As will be appreciated, theprovision of sealing member 74 maintains the sterility of the insidesurfaces of the syringe body 78 during use.

More generally in this regard, it may be appreciated that the medicalliquid administration apparatus 1 may be packaged in a sterilecondition. For example, the administration apparatus 1 may be assembled,packaged in a heat-sealed enclosure, and sterilized via exposure togamma radiation.

As shown in phantom in FIG. 2, a catch member 92 may also be providedwith administration apparatus 1. For example, catch member 92 may beinterconnected to or comprise a further feature of securing ring 90. Inuse, the catch member 92 may be employed to selectively restrictretraction of plunger 76 relative to syringe body 78. Such feature maybe of particular use during use of the administration apparatus 1 forliquid medication administration. Of course, catch member 92 may also bedeflected outward to permit use of the plunger 76, as will be described.

As indicated, the medical liquid administration apparatus 1 may befurther provided with a number of features to facilitate variousintended fluid interconnections. In particular, and as best shown byFIGS. 1A-1D, 3A, 4A and 5A, administration apparatus 1 may be providedwith a tubing line 122 connected to valve side port 34. In turn, tubingline 122 may be directly connected to a first flush solution source 120(e.g. a saline solution reservoir) or may be provided with a spikemember 124 for selective interconnection to a vial or other reservoircontaining a first flush solution (e.g. saline flush solution).Administration apparatus 1 may also be provided with a lure connector102 (e.g. a female luer connector having a removable cap) connected tovalve side port 32 for selective interconnection with a complimentarylure connector 104 (e.g. a male luer connector) that is provided at oneend of a tubing line 106 fluidly interconnected to a liquid medicationsource 100. A clip 108 may be provided on tubing line 106 for selectiveocclusion of tubing line 106. Administration apparatus 1 may also beprovided with a lure connector 142 (e.g. a female luer connector havinga removable cap) connected to valve side port 38 for selectiveinterconnection with a complementary lure connector 146 (e.g. a maleluer connector) provided at one end of a tubing line 144 interconnectedwith a second flush solution source 140 (i.e. a heparin flush solution).Finally, administration apparatus 1 may also be provided with a tubingline 162 connected to valve side port 36 and having a male lureconnector 164, e.g. provided for selective interconnection with acomplementary female luer connector comprising a vascular catheteraccess port 160 to a patient.

Such various fluid interconnection features will now be furtherdescribed in relation to intended exemplary applications. With specificreference to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the administration apparatus 1 isshown with syringe 70 located in a position to define a flow pathbetween the liquid medication source 100 and vascular catheter accessport 160 via valve ports 32 and 36. To administer liquid medication, theliquid medication source 100 may be controlled to infuse the medicalliquid into the vascular catheter access port 160. For example, whenliquid medication source 100 comprises a syringe, the plunger may beadvanced relative to the barrel thereof to achieve administration. Inone approach, the liquid medication source 100 may be mounted in anautomated device 110 for automated dispensation of pre-selected dosageamounts. As noted above, during liquid medication administration theoptional catch member 92 may be positioned to restrict retraction of thesyringe plunger 76. Preferably, clip 108 is manipulated to occlude, orclose, tubing line 106 during all periods between liquid medicationadministrations.

When syringe 70 is located in the position shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C,a flow path is also defined between syringe 70 and vascular catheteraccess port 160 via valve ports 40 and 36. As will be described, suchposition is employed to administer first or second flush solutionamounts drawn into syringe 70.

In that regard, and referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, syringe 70 isshown in a position that provides a fluid flow path between the firstflush solution source 120 and syringe 70 via valve ports 34 and 40. Tofacilitate the passage of the first flush solution into the syringe 70,plunger 76 is retracted so as to draw the flush solution through thetubing line 122 and valve 10 into the syringe body 78. To administer thefirst flush solution from the syringe body 78, syringe 70 is rotatedinto the position shown in FIG. 3A-3C. Thereafter, plunger 76 may beadvanced so as to flow the flush solution through valve ports 40, 36 tothe vascular catheter access port 160.

A similar procedure may be followed for optional usage of the secondflush solution source 140. More particularly, and referring now to FIGS.5A and 5B, syringe 70 is shown in a position that provides a fluid pathbetween the second flush solution source 140 and syringe 70 via valveports 38 and 40. In this position plunger 76 of syringe 70 may beretracted to draw flush solution from source 140. Then, syringe 70 maybe rotated to the position shown in FIGS. 3A-3C for infusion of thesecond flush solution through vascular catheter access port 160.

Of note, it should be appreciated that, prior to or after the infusionof a liquid medication or flush solution, administration apparatus maybe conveniently employed for effective vascular catheter aspiration. Inparticular, syringe plunger 76 may be retracted to manually draw a smallamount of blood through an interconnected vascular catheter and intotubing line 166 to allow medical personnel to confirm proper catheterplacement and/or the absence of blood clotting. Then, syringe plunger 76may be advanced to return the blood.

An exemplary procedure using the medical liquid administration apparatus1 will now be presented. To begin the procedure the liquidadministration apparatus 1 is removed from sterile packaging and set-upprocedures completed. In particular, and with reference to FIGS. 3A, 4Aand 5A, a vascular catheter access port 160 may be fluidlyinterconnected to the medical liquid administration apparatus 1 via maleluer connector 164, tubing line 162 and valve side port 36. Further,liquid medication source 100 may be fluidly interconnected to side port32 of the medical liquid administration apparatus 1, and source 100 maybe optionally positioned within an automated infusion device 110 asdeemed appropriate by medical personnel. To complete the set-upprocedure, a saline flush solution source 120 and/or heparin flushsolution source 140 may be fluidly interconnected to valve side port 34and/or valve side port 38 of the medical liquid administration apparatus1. At this point, all necessary fluid interconnections have been made toallow for the use of medical liquid administration apparatus 1 on arepeated basis over the course of an extended medication therapy.

Following setup, various tubing lines comprising the various fluidinterconnections may be primed by sequentially positioning and controlof syringe 70 to define and draw liquid through the desired fluid flowpath to be primed both upstream of the medical liquid administrationapparatus 1 and downstream thereof. Tubing line 106 may be primed bymanipulation or automated control of liquid medication source 100. Next,a vascular catheter (not shown) interconnected via tubing line 166 tovascular catheter access port 160 may be inserted into a patient. Then,syringe 70 may be employed to aspirate the vascular catheter.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1A and FIGS. 6A-6H. When medical personneldetermine that it is an appropriate time to provide a dose of liquidmedication, the syringe 70 may be aligned with port 34 to define a fluidflow path between the saline flush solution source 120 and the syringe70 via valve 10, see FIG. 6A. Medical personnel may then pass a desiredvolume of the saline flush solution into the syringe 70 via retractionof plunger 76. Next, medical personnel may locate the syringe 70 into analigned orientation with port 36, see FIG. 6B. The plunger 76 may thenbe advanced to flow the saline flush solution through the valve 10 andinto the vascular catheter access port 160 to the patient. Of note,plunger 76 may then be retracted a sufficient amount to allow medicalpersonnel to visually confirm a blood return into the vascular catheteraccess port tubing line 166, see FIG. 6C. Upon such confirmation,plunger 76 may be advanced to push the blood back into the patient.

Next, medical personnel may position the syringe 70 in an alignedorientation with valve side port 32, see FIG. 6D. Concomitantly, clip108 may be positioned to open the tubing line 106 and a predetermined,desired amount of liquid medication may be passed from liquid medicationsource 100 into vascular catheter access port 160 via manipulation orautomated control of liquid medication source 100. Clip 108 may then berepositioned to occlude tubing line 106. Again, plunger 76 may beretracted a sufficient amount to allow medical personnel to visuallyconfirm a blood return into the vascular catheter access port tubingline 166. Upon such confirmation, plunger 76 may be advanced to push theblood back into the patient.

When the desired liquid medication infusion is complete, medicalpersonnel may rotate the syringe 70 into an aligned position with port34, see FIG. 6F. A desired volume saline flush solution may be drawnfrom source 120 into the syringe 70. Syringe 70 may then be rotated backinto an aligned position with port 32, see FIG. 6G, and plunger 76advanced to affect passage of the saline flush solution through theadministration apparatus 1 to vascular catheter access port 160. Medicalpersonnel may then slightly retract plunger 76 to again visually confirma blood return within the vascular access port tubing 166, as per FIG.6C, and thereafter push the blood back into the patient.

As may be appreciated, when use of the heparin flush solution fromsource 140 is desired, the syringe 70 may be oriented in an alignedrelation with a port 38, see FIG. 6H. Thereafter, the heparin flushsolution may be passed into the syringe 70 and subsequently infused byrotating the syringe 70 into an aligned orientation with port 32, seeFIG. 61, and advancing plunger 76.

After a given infusion of liquid medication is completed, the valve sideport 36 of medical liquid administration apparatus 1 may be selectivelydisconnected from the vascular catheter access port 160, e.g. male luerconnector 164 may be disconnected and covered. For example, the maleluer connector 164 may be temporarily docked within a docking apparatussuch as that described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/226,183,entitled “STERILE DOCKING APPARATUS AND METHOD”, filed Aug. 22, 2002,hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

When a further infusion of liquid medication is desired, the male lureconnector 164 may be uncovered. The male luer connector 164 and vascularcatheter access port 160 may then be swabbed with an appropriateanti-bacterial solution and reconnected. Thereafter, the procedure maycontinue as per the description accompanying FIGS. 6A-6H above.

In accordance with described arrangement, multiple infusions of liquidmedication may be completed utilizing medical liquid administrationapparatus 1, while maintaining fluid interconnections between themedical liquid administration apparatus 1 and saline flush solutionsource 120, liquid medication source 100 and/or heparin flush solutionsource 140. As may be appreciated, the maintenance of one or more suchinterconnections simplifies the overall procedure for medical personnel,results in reduced waste relative to prior techniques, and enhances themaintenance of sterile interconnections.

The embodiments described above are for exemplary purposes only and isnot intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Variousadaptations, modifications and extensions of the described system/methodwill be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to bewithin the scope of the invention as defined by the claims which follow.

1. A method for medical liquid administration to a patient, comprising:establishing an interconnection between a flush solution source and asyringe, and an interconnection between said syringe and a vascularcatheter; drawing flush solution from said flush solution source into asterile syringe body of said syringe; flowing said flush solution fromsaid syringe through said vascular catheter to a patient utilizing saidinterconnection between the syringe and the vascular catheter; infusinga liquid medication through said vascular catheter to a patient whilemaintaining said interconnection between said flush solution source andsaid syringe; and maintaining the sterility of said syringe body duringsaid flowing and infusing steps.
 2. A method as recited in claim 1,further comprising: repeating said drawing, flowing, infusing andmaintaining steps a plurality of times while maintaining saidinterconnection between said flush solution source and said syringe. 3.A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said repeating step is completedwhile maintaining an interconnection between a source of said liquidmedication and said vascular catheter.
 4. A method as recited in claim2, wherein between successive ones of said plurality of times, themethod further comprises: disconnecting said syringe and said vascularcatheter; and, reestablishing said interconnection between said syringeand said vascular catheter.
 5. A method as recited in claim 4, whereinsaid interconnection between said syringe and said vascular catheter isestablished utilizing a tubing line having a connector at one end, andwherein the method further comprises: covering the connector after saiddisconnecting step; uncovering the connector after said covering stepand prior to said reestablishing step; and swabbing the connector with adisinfectant prior to said reestablishing step.
 6. A method as recitedin claim 1, wherein said infusing step is completed utilizing at least aportion of a tubing line employed for said interconnection between saidsyringe and said vascular catheter.
 7. A method as recited in claim 1,further comprising: utilizing said syringe, at least one of before andafter at least one of said flowing step and said infusing step, to drawfluid into said vascular catheter from said patient and to then infusethe fluid back into said patient.
 8. A method as recited in claim 7,further comprising: repeating said drawing, flowing, maintaining,infusing and utilizing steps a plurality of times while maintaining saidinterconnection between said flush solution source and said syringe. 9.A method as recited in claim 8, wherein said infusing step and saidutilizing step are each completed utilizing at least a portion of atubing line employed for said interconnection between said syringe andsaid vascular catheter.
 10. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein saidrepeating step is completed while maintaining an interconnection betweena source of said liquid medication and said vascular catheter.
 11. Amethod as recited in claim 1, further comprising: utilizing saidsyringe, at least one of before and after each of said flowing step andsaid infusing step, to draw fluid into said vascular catheter from saidpatient and to then infuse the fluid back into said patient.
 12. Amethod as recited in claim 1, wherein said syringe is directlyinterconnected to a valve, and wherein said establishing step furthercomprises: interconnecting said flush solution source to a first inletport of a valve, a source of said liquid medication to a second inletport of said valve, and said vascular catheter to an outlet port of saidvalve.
 13. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said vascularcatheter and said syringe are at least partially interconnected by atubing line, and wherein said flowing and said infusing step are eachcompleted utilizing the tubing line.
 14. A method as recited in claim12, further comprising: repeating said drawing, flowing, maintaining andinfusing steps a plurality of times while maintaining saidinterconnection between said flush solution source and said first inletport of said valve.
 15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein betweensuccessive one of said plurality of times, the method further comprises:disconnecting said syringe and said vascular catheter; andreestablishing said interconnection between said syringe and saidvascular catheter.
 16. A method as recited in claim 12, furthercomprising: repeating said drawing, flowing, maintaining and infusingsteps a plurality of times while maintaining said interconnectionbetween said flush solution source and said first inlet port of saidvalve and said interconnection between said source of said liquidmedication and said second inlet port of said valve.
 17. A method asrecited in claim 12, wherein said drawing step comprises: controllingsaid valve to selectively establish a first flow path therethroughbetween said first inlet port and said syringe.
 18. A method as recitedin claim 17, wherein said flowing step comprises: controlling said valveto selectively establish a second flow path therethrough between saidsyringe and said outlet port.
 19. A method as recited in claim 18,wherein said infusing step comprises: controlling said valve toselectively establish a third flow path therethrough between said secondinlet port and said outlet port.
 20. A method as recited in claim 19,further comprising: interconnecting a second flush solution source to athird inlet port of said valve; controlling said valve to selectivelyestablish a fourth flow path therethrough between said third inlet portand said syringe; drawing a second flush solution from said second flushsolution source into said syringe body; and flowing said second flushsolution from said syringe through said vascular catheter to a patient.21. A method as recited in claim 18, further comprising: utilizing saidsyringe, at least one of before and after at least one of said flowingstep and said infusing step, and with said second flow path established,to draw fluid into said vascular catheter from said patient and toinfuse said fluid, back into said patient.
 22. A method as recited inclaim 21, further comprising: repeating said drawing, flowing,maintaining, infusing and utilizing steps a plurality of times whilemaintaining said interconnection between said flush solution source andsaid first inlet part of said valve.
 23. A method as recited in claim21, wherein said syringe further comprises a plunger, wherein saiddrawing and flowing steps include selectively retracting and advancing,respectively, said plunger relative to said syringe body, and whereinsaid utilizing step comprises selectively retracting and advancing saidplunger relative to said syringe body.
 24. A method as recited in claim12, further comprising: packaging said syringe and said valve in afixedly interconnected condition within an enclosure prior to saidestablishing step; sterilizing said fixedly interconnected syringe andvalve; and, removing said sterilized fixedly interconnected syringe andvalve from said enclosure prior to said establishing step.
 25. A methodas recited in claim 24, wherein said packaging step further comprises:packaging one or more tubing lines, for use in establishing one or moreof said interconnections, with said fixedly interconnected syringe andvalve within said enclosure.
 26. A method for medical liquidadministration to a patient, comprising: establishing an interconnectionbetween a flush solution source and a syringe, an interconnectionbetween said syringe and a vascular catheter, and an interconnectionbetween a source of liquid medication and said vascular catheter;drawing flush solution from said flush solution source into a sterilesyringe body of said syringe; flowing said flush solution from saidsyringe through said vascular catheter to a patient; infusing a liquidmedication from said source of liquid medication through said vascularcatheter to a patient while maintaining said interconnection betweensaid flush source and said syringe; and utilizing said syringe, at leastone of before and after at least one of said flowing step and saidinfusing step, to draw fluid into said vascular catheter from saidpatient and to infuse said fluid back into said patient.
 27. A method asrecited in claim 26, further comprising: utilizing said syringe, atleast one of before and after each of said flowing step and saidinfusing step, to draw fluid into said vascular catheter from saidpatient and to infuse said fluid back into said patient.
 28. A method asrecited in claim 26, wherein said syringe further comprises a plunger,wherein said drawing and flowing steps include selectively retractingand advancing, respectively, said plunger relative to said syringe body,and wherein said utilizing step comprises selectively retracting andadvancing said plunger relative to said syringe body.
 29. A method asrecited in claim 26, wherein said infusing step is completed utilizingat least a portion of a tubing line employed for said interconnectionbetween said syringe and said vascular catheter.
 30. A method as recitedin claim 26, further comprising: maintaining the sterility of saidsyringe body during said flowing and infusing steps.
 31. A method asrecited in claim 30, further comprising: repeating said drawing,flowing, maintaining, infusing and utilizing steps a plurality of timeswhile maintaining said interconnection between said flush solutionsource and said syringe.
 32. A method as recited in claim 31, whereinbetween successive ones of said plurality of time, the method furthercomprises: disconnecting said syringe and said vascular catheter; and,reestablishing said interconnection between said syringe and saidvascular catheter.
 33. A method as recited in claim 31, wherein saidrepeating step is completed while maintaining said interconnectionbetween a source of said liquid medication and said vascular catheter.34. A method as recited in claim 26, wherein said syringe is directlyinterconnected to a valve, and wherein said establishing step furthercomprises: interconnecting said flush solution source to a first inletport of a valve, said source of said liquid medication to a second inletport of said valve, and said vascular catheter to an outlet port of saidvalve.
 35. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein said vascularcatheter and said syringe are at least partially interconnected by atubing line, and wherein said flowing, and utilizing infusing steps areeach completed utilizing the tubing line.
 36. A method as recited inclaim 34, further comprising: repeating said drawing, flowing,maintaining, infusing and utilizing steps a plurality of times whilemaintaining said interconnection between said flush solution source andsaid first inlet port of said valve.
 37. A method as recited in claim36, wherein between successive ones of said plurality of times, themethod further comprises: disconnecting said syringe and said vascularcatheter; and, reestablishing said interconnection between said syringeand said vascular catheter.
 38. A method as recited in claim 34,repeating said drawing, flowing, maintaining, infusing and utilizingsteps a plurality of times while maintaining said interconnectionbetween said flush solution source and said first inlet port of saidvalve and said interconnection between said source of said liquidmedication and said second inlet port of said valve.
 39. A method asrecited in claim 34, wherein said drawing step comprises: controllingsaid valve to selectively establish a first flow path therethroughbetween said first inlet port and syringe.
 40. A method as recited inclaim 39, wherein said flowing step comprises: controlling said valve toselectively establish a second flow path therethrough between saidsyringe and said outlet port.
 41. A method as recited in claim 40,wherein said infusing step comprises: controlling said valve toselectively establish a third flow path therethrough between said secondinlet port and said outlet port.
 42. A method as recited in claim 41,further comprising: interconnecting a second flush solution source to athird inlet port of said valve; controlling said valve to selectivelyestablish a fourth flow path therethrough between said third inlet portand said syringe; drawing a second flush solution from said second flushsolution source into said syringe body; and flowing said second flushsolution from said syringe through said vascular catheter to a patient.43. A method as recited in claim 34, further comprising: packaging saidsyringe and said valve in a fixedly interconnected within an enclosureprior to said establishing step; sterilizing said fixedly interconnectedsyringe and valve; and, removing said sterilized fixedly interconnectedsyringe and valve from said enclosure prior to said establishing step.44. A method as recited in claim 43, wherein said packaging step furthercomprises: packaging one or more tubing lines, for use in establishingone or more of said interconnections, with said fixedly interconnectedsyringe and valve within said enclosure.